SV a high maintanence bike?

Hiya, newbie question here.

Would those that have owned a few bikes say that the SV requires more maintenance than other bikes? I am considering buying one but have been told that (especially by people on here) that I should possibly expect to do more work on an SV than other bikes.

Thanks in advance...

Originally Posted by thor

Hiya, newbie question here.

Would those that have owned a few bikes say that the SV requires more maintenance than other bikes? I am considering buying one but have been told that (especially by people on here) that I should possibly expect to do more work on an SV than other bikes.

Thanks in advance...

not at all, its just it makes you feel more comfortable to do the work rather than a main dealer.

i've owned mine for about six months so im still relatively new to it but iv found if you do the simple things like tyre pressures, brakefluid, engine oil, lube te chain, grease thebits that need greasing the bikes are pretty much bombproof and dont need much else.

Plus you'll pick up a lot off this site



Mark

No way, Ive had mine for about 3.5 years & I've done nothing to it, besides clean it 3 times. OK so I have to admit I'm a fair weather, low milage user, that sticks it in the garage in the winter (but it did come out this weekend). It starts at the press of a button, stops in an instance, goes like the perverbial off of a shovel & goes round corners lkke it was on rails. What more can you want--------- I haven't even had to charge the battery (much to my surpirise), I guess it would a surprise as I don't even know how to get @ the battery.
I'm sure you can do as much work as you want to the bike if the desire takes you, it doesn't take me, all I want to do is ride it. I've been through the phase of tinkering, enjoyed it, but got through it

Bikes in general cost a small fortunte to look after. Theres always something to do - either in need of or you just want

Mine is costing the earth at the moment, but that would be down to the abuse that it has had to endure in my hands.

I would say though that after a season of winter riding, you will need to keep on top of the brakes in particular. They seize up quickly. But with regular maintenance and observation you should be OK.

[northwind]

If you want to keep it looking good through winter, it is going to need a bit more attention than some bikes... But not drastically. Service intervals are about typical for bikes, and the servicing is cheaper than for many, plus they're dead dead easy to work on yourself.

I put a lot of time and love into keeping mine as good as it can be kept, but if all I wanted it to do is go, I'd do the book services and service the brakes every thousand winter miles or so, not a big deal at all. It's never gone wrong once so far where the fault wasn't firmly at my door

The SV does respond well to a little preventative medicine- corrosion and paintwork protection mainly.

I don't think the SV *needs* more maintenance; it allows you do more of the maintenance yourself if you wish. Both my previous bikes weren't as well laid out to access various parts, and the manuals were lacking a lot of info. whilst the SV layout and manual (and even the info. about servicing) seem to positively scream to do it yourself and not take it to the dealer.

My K4 manual states that you can do most of the servicing yourself and only a few key checks have to be done by the dealer. Not that the dealer would be that happy to find you'd done all the work and left them about £20 worth of checks to do just to keep it within warranty... anyone done that??